Longtime teammates-turned-opponents AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman savored their first PVL showdown.
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — For the first time since Grade 9, former long-time teammates AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman found themselves on opposite sides of the net.
The two volleybelles, who shared the court for FEU Dilliman in high school and later in Ateneo de Manila University, finally met as opponents in their first professional duel as ZUS Coffee rolled to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 win over Nxled in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Miner, the No. 5 pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, delivered 15 points, while No. 4 selection De Guzman posted a triple-double line of 10 points, 11 digs, and 11 receptions.
[ALSO READ: Ateneo stars Lyann De Guzman, AC Miner announce entry into 2025 PVL Draft]
Seeing each other on opposite sides
Facing someone she has played with for nearly a decade brought mixed emotions for Miner.
“Definitely feels weird kasi naging team mate ko si Lyann since Grade 9 kami tapos ngayon makakalaban ko siya sa pros,” Miner told One Sports. “I guess kami naman ginawa namin, parin namin ‘yung jobs namin kung saan team kami.
AC Miner goes for the spike in ZUS Coffee's win over Nxled. | Photo: PVL
Their familiarity also led to some lighthearted moments, including playful trash talk in the third set.
“After ko mag-running tapos maka-score, sabi niya sa’kin, ‘AC, easihan mo lang.’ Sabi ko, ‘Hindi pwede.’ Banter lang, very light,” Miner laughed.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya, ‘Grabe, AC napaka-bilis mo naman.' Pero ano lang, katuwaan lang. So ‘yun, parang nag-enjoy na talaga kami kanina,” De Guzman added.
Proud of their journey
Despite the shift from teammates to rivals, Miner said the shared history made her even more proud of De Guzman’s rise.
“Very proud of Lyann kasi, she’s really stepping up,” she added. “I think mas malayo pa mararating namin especially since wala pa kaming six months here, so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy yung basa siya.”
Lyann De Guzman in action during Nxled's match against ZUS Coffee. | Photo: PVL
De Guzman echoed the same feelings, saying the moment reminded her how far both of them had come since their FEU days.
“Sobrang kakaiba lang na nandun na siya sa kabilang court, magkalaban na namin,” she admitted. “Pero masaya ako kanina. Like happy ako kasi nandito na kami ni AC, malayo na narating namin.”
[ALSO READ: Lyann De Guzman still treasures Ateneo fan support as she begins PVL stint with Nxled]
For now, it will be Miner and the Thunderbelles heading on to the quarterfinals of the Reinforced Conference. But it's safe to say that De Guzman will be cheering on her good friend come the playoffs.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.